Snow Sheep Hunt in Okhotsk Region

 Ovis nivicola alleni

• Hunting dates
• Tour description
• Hunting
• Tour program
• Accommodation during hunt
• Maintenance staff
• Tour price
• Tour price includes
• Tour price does not include

Hunting Dates

August, 1st – Oktober, 10th

Tour Description

The duration of the hunt is 10-12 days.

An optimal size of a hunting group is two hunters. Such group will be provided with two hunting guides (one guide for each hunter) and one cook.

Hunters are transferred to the hunting camp on the day of arrival at Okhotsk. Any changes to this routine have to be arranged beforehand.

Large hunting groups (over 3 hunters) will be accommodated at two hunting camps (details have to be discussed beforehand).

Trophies are worked up according to the requirements of taxidermist workshops.

Hunting

Snow Sheep inhabit the rocky coasts of Okhotsk Sea and the mountainous areas of the inland (2600 -  5900 feet/800 - 1800 meters above the sea level). The present-day population of this species is about 7500 heads. The full-grown male Snow Sheep weights about 176 - 210 pounds/80 - 95 kg with an average horn length of about 33,47 - 37,4 inches (85 - 95 cm). The biggest trophy bagged in the Region was the Snow Sheep with 104 cm (41 inches) longhorns.

For the mountainous hunt, we recommend taking light, but windproof waterproof clothes. On average,  for the hunting period, the daytime temperature stays at 50/77° F (+10/+25° С), at night the temperature falls down to 41° F (+5°С).

Snow Sheep hunting is hard and physically challenging, it requires certain mountain hunting experience. You should be equipped with special footwear, wind-proof camouflage clothes, binoculars, and a 300-caliber rifle. Range finder would be rather handy in measuring the distance to a truly worthy trophy.

On the first day of a hunt, the helicopter brings you to a camp, settled down in a place of Snow Sheep habitat (the place where the hunting guides spotted a Snow Sheep at the prior examination of the hunting territory). At the camp, you will be placed in comfortable, warm, and spacious tents.

Tour Program

1st day: 

• arrival at Okhotsk airport;
• transfer to the hunting place (depending on prior arrangements, the hunters will be transferred either by MI-8 Helicopter or by motor-boat);
• introductions to the camp-workers/hunting guides; safety instructions, observation of hunting rules and hunting area specifics, tips on regional Snow Sheep hunt; scheduling the first hunting day on the map;
• zeroing in; initializing GPS units and other mobile devices;
• welcoming dinner.

 2nd day:

• breakfast;
• hunters and guides choose directions for the current hunting day and depart for hunt;
• dinner upon return to the camp;
• the group discusses the results of the hunting day.

3rd - 10th day:

The daily agenda is similar to the 2nd day. If the hunt is unsuccessful by the 4th day, the hunting strategy for the remaining period of time should be revised by the outfitter and the hunting group. If decided to relocate the camp, on the morning of the 5th day the helicopter/motor-boat will be moving the camp to the new area to continue the hunt.

11th day:

• breakfast;
• trophy preservation, packing;
• departure for Okhotsk;
• hotel accommodation;
• free time;
• farewell dinner.

12th day

• breakfast;
• transfer to Okhotsk airport;

Accommodation during Hunt

The hunting group is placed in the tents. Each tent can accommodate up to 4 people. Breakfast and dinner are cooked on the gas stove and/or campfire. Bagged lunch is provided daily. NB: please notify us of your diet restrictions/preferences beforehand.

The camp is equipped with a field toilet, a field bath-house, a mobile electric power station, and mobile communication devices.

The guests are provided with the tents, mats, and field-kitchenware. If a motorboat is used during the hunt, one boat if provided for two hunters and their guides. You might want to bring with you fishing equipment, personal hunting equipment, individual sleeping-bags, waterproof bags or backpacks, toiletry, clothes (warm and waterproof), wader/waterproof overalls, repellent spray (against mosquitoes, etc.). We will provide you with a complete list of recommendations once you reserve a tour.

Maintenance Staff

• personal hunting guide (one guide per one hunter);
• outfitter;
• camp-worker, cook, interpreter, representatives from Okhotsk. 

A hunting guide is responsible for bringing a hunter to the trophy animal within a gunshot range (e.g. in a Brown Bear hunt an animal should be shot at from a distance of 656 feet/200 meters or less). During the hunt the guide handles all safety-related issues. The guide pretreats the trophy according to the hunter’s taste and takes pictures if requested. A guide stays with a hunter throughout the hunt. All guides are experienced in facilitating the visiting hunters. Most of the guides are professional hunters themselves.

The outfitter supervises a hunt, assigns guides to the hunters, schedules the hunt, and monitors trophy processing. The outfitter provides a means of communication. The outfitter is responsible for all safety issues related to the hunting tour, he handles the first-aid kit. The outfitter can also take responsibility for a hunting guide and act as one.

A camp-worker is responsible for keeping the camp territory and living quarters in order, servicing the electric power station and field bath-house, stocking firewood, and providing water supply.

A cook is responsible for providing the hunters and staff members with three meals a day (including bagged lunches for hunters).

An Okhotsk representative is responsible for communications with the base camp, transfers of the hunting group to/from the hunting area, hunters’ in-town accommodation, transfers to/from Okhotsk airport. 

hunting price:

Hunting service   (including one sheep trophy fee )  $12000 

Helicopter  rent                                                      $ 7000 each hunter 

 Total                                                                     $19900

Second sheep                                                        $4990